The Oklahoma City Thunder started the 2024-25 season undefeated, winning all four games by 12 or more points and averaging 112.3 points per game. 17th most in the NBA.

2023-24 team fourth highest offensive rating fell Approximately seven points per 100 possessions Thanks to slightly fewer offensive rebounds and a lower free throw rate so far this year. But the most notable downfall is a much less effective shooting offense.

With the exception of Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren, most rotation players recorded a worse shooting percentage at the start of this season than they did last year. Only Aaron Wiggins, Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng and Dort increased their 2-point percentage. The team’s 2-point attempt leaders, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, combined for a combined 50.0% on 106 attempts after making 57.6% of 1,970 attempts last season.

Oklahoma City’s struggles inside the arc came simultaneously with outside shooting woes.
Dort shot a blistering 11-for-19 (57.9%) from downtown in four games, but every other Thunder player who took five or more shots had a worse three-point percentage than last season. Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Wiggins, a trio shooting over 40% from deep in the 2023-24 season, have combined for four attempts in 30 attempts so far.

Good news for the Thunder: A four-game sample cannot determine the team’s 3-point quality due to limited volume. The team shot 22.2% and 20.0% on three-point attempts In their first two games, they went a combined 81 to 33 (40.7%) against the Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs.

Oklahoma City is the league’s most selective team when it comes to outside shooting, making the majority of its 3-point shots from open or wide area. 33.0% three-point percentage when six or more meters from the nearest defender Fourth lowest in the league Behind the Houston Rockets, Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers.

Williams, Holmgren, Caruso and Wallace noted combined 6 to 39 (15.4%) on wide-open 3-pointers. This output inspires optimism going forward because they are proven shooters who look good — as evidenced by their 2023-24 3-point total from the opener of 316-for-732 (43.2%).

Wallace shot 1 for 9 on catch-and-shoot threes after doing 44.2% of 206 There were catch-and-shoot attempts last season. Open ball in the left corner Gilgeous-Alexander’s game against the Hawks after a smooth drive and kick encapsulates Oklahoma City’s cumulative desperation despite quality looks.

The Thunder will face the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at 21:00 CST.

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